Back to Reality...28º

Home for a few days as we settle into our routine, checking the calendar for volunteer commitments or medical appointments...I made sure we had the taxes done before leaving so we didn't have to deal with that after arriving back home...Rusty is at home in Bend before starting a job near Wenatchee WA, end of April...The Wall Family flew into Portland, noonish yesterday after finishing their trip in New York City...Can hardly wait to hear the tales they have to tell...So nice to see there smiling faces on Facebook when I really started wondering what the were up to...My calendar is clear this week except for the monthly essay to Katey, have a few days to concentrate on that...Yesterday I wandered around the yard looking for blooms, (Crocus) and budded daffodils are the brave ones...Also checked the veggie garden to see the garlic sprouted up through the straw mulch about 4 inches...Spring is really on its way!...More photos of our trip to follow...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Savannah here we come

Deciding on Dinner

Dinner on River Street

Pat and the giant cone 

Walls of Candy

All flavors of Ice Cream

Two "Kids" in the candy store!

Relaxing days in Islamorada...

Islamorada (eye ill more ada) located in the Florida Keys, was warm, breezy and a little humid...We spent time relaxing and seeing the sights with Pat and Brian as our hosts and tour guides...It was a lovely 7 days...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Breakfast

Relaxing on the screened in Lanai

Parrots at Theater of the Sea

Dolphin 

Orchid

Orchid

Pat and Brian out for a ride.

Photos...35º

Determined to learn how to use my "Smart Phone" I left on our 17 day trip without my Mac book pro, taking only the new iPhone...For backup, Herb had his iPad, Pat had a Mac book I could use...I wanted to do everything, from daily Facebook posts, scrabble games, search the web, read and send email, write and post my blog and capture our trip with the built in camera...I forgot the most important thing, it is a phone after all, so I also sent and received text messages and phone calls...The most difficult thing was writing my blog on the small space of a phone, hitting wrong keys so often and the spell check changing them I came up with some strange sounding sentences...The one thing I couldn't figure out and still haven't is how to get a photo from my phone into my blog...Soooo for the next few days I will be posting some of the photos, as I did "selfies and youies" so more or all of us could be in the photo...Cienna is much better at it than I, so some of these are her work...If you enjoyed following our trip on Facebook and "Oma With A View" please mark the boxes at the bottom of the blog so I know someone is reading or email me so I know i'm not just blathering into cyberspace...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

View from the Islamorada condo

Key West Pelican

Herb and Della on the trolley

Key West Trolley

Recap...29º...Nice Sunrise

Sixteen days, about 7000 miles. Oregon to Florida to Washington DC. We drove, flew in 5 different planes, slept in 4 different beds, rode in taxi's and subways (OH MY.) We basked in the Islamorada, Florida sun, swam in sparkling pools, felt the ocean breeze warm on our face. Ate seafood, ice-cream and decadent desserts, visited the most southern tip of the US in Key West, cruised the Savannah Harbor and River Street as we headed North. Learned about cotton, rum, railroads, sailing ships, slaves and pirates to name a few.

Further North we concentrated on the founders and "shapers" of our country. A hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC was our home for five days where we made memories with our kids as they flew in to join us. We had a balmy day to tour the Capitol and Eastern Market before the weather turned nasty and we bundled up and braved the cold/snow/rain to tour the Lincoln and Washington Memorials as well as the Vietnam, Korean and World War 2 Memorials and viewed the White House. From there we hurried to the Smithsonian Institute, Natural History and American History and Air and Space Museums where it was warm and dry inside. Our last day there we toured the Kennedy Center, where you can watch ballet, opera, musicals and so much more. President Eisenhower authorized this beautiful building in the 50's and it was named for President Kennedy after his assassination in 1963.

The history of our country, the memorials to all the men and women who gave their lives to keep us free, our adventure into the air and space age is all there open to the world, for all who want to visit and learn how our country was born and has progressed.

We were fortunate indeed to have "friends" Pat and Brian, who hosted us in Florida, then delivered us to the doorstep of our DC Hotel. Our "kids" Bobi, Stan, Cienna and Rusty became the "parents" as they guided us several miles through the city streets and on and off the subways. We opted for hotel rooms with one kitchen where we could do our own cooking. A Trader Joe's across the street, Whole Foods just a few blocks away and the Eastern Market nearby made that easy. We ate memorable meals, taking turns planning, cooking and cleaning up. Late evenings found us doing foot massages,  playing cards, sharing a glass or two of wine, laughter and craziness. Memories in the making.

Home now for the second day, we are unpacked, laundry done, back in the groove of day to day life on Barton Heights. Time to reflect and reminisce ...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Sunny...21 deg.

Walking Sunday from our hotel to the many memorials on Capitol Square. It was quite chilly so we kept moving, from the Lincoln Memorial we viewed the Korean, Vietnam, and WW11 memorials that honor and remember the courageous men and women who gave their lives so we can live in a democracy. Another special interest for us was the bronze wreaths at the WW11 memorial. They were all cast at a foundry in Joseph (our home town.) On to view the White House, where we with many others looked through the black iron fence imagining what the inside looked like. From there we walked a different route to our hotel and our dinner of Scallops Alfredo and salad was yummy.

Saturday was our warmest day, each day getting colder and snow forecast today. Sunday we bundled up and braved the 30 deg. temps and bone chilling wind as we walked several blocks to board the metro. On Monday morning we arrived early at the 'Washington Mall" to tour the museums of Air and Space, Natural History and American History. Met at a 7th street cafe for lunch and returned to our hotel late afternoon and our best meal so far. A delicious pasta casserole, that will never happen again! Hot showers helped us get our core temperature back up to normal. Even though the cherry trees are not blooming and the temperatures are freezing, as always we are making the best of things and having a great time, as memories are made. Today is our last day here and the time will be spent inside as much as possible.  Rusty, Herb and I fly out early tomorrow morning while Stan, Bobi and Cienna take the train/bus to New York City for 3 days before flying home to Portland...hugs to all OWAV :)

DC, Day 3...40 degrees

After a day of warm temps weather is cooling, rain predicted. Yesterday Bobi got all of us add on tickets for  the metro. We used up several tickets as we visited and toured the Capitol building. Awe inspiring to see how our country was formed after the revolution, torn apart by the civil war and then rebuilt. The we boarded metro again to take in the Eastern Market, Herb and I rested on a bench to people watch while "the kids" bought fresh food for meals for the next two days. Six weary,foot sore travelers made their way back to Avenue Suites where we dined on chicken, salad and pecan pie. Foot massages soon followed before a rousing game of five crowns. Bedtime was early...Hugs to all...OWAV:)

Washington D C

We left Islamorada after days of pool time, warm ocean breezes, delicious food by Pat and Brian plus meals out, of seafood and yummy desserts and ice cream. Next was a day in Savannah seeing the sites via trolley and harbor cruise. More sea food was eaten before our journey continued north many miles. Then Brian navigated Washington D C as skillfully as a veteran taxi driver, with Pat and Siri's help. We said goodby to them on Pennsylvania Avenue, only a few blocks from the White House.

Like clockwork our kids arrived by plane to join us at Avenue Suites where we have rooms for the next 5 nights and we begin our tour of the nations Capitol. Herb and I are a little road weary, but with the kids here will find renewed exuberance to take in the sights.  Hugs to all. OWAV:)

Day six...Breezy

Time is flying here in Islamorada as we start day six winding down and preparing for the trip north to Washington DC...Yesterday we arrived at http://www.theaterofthesea.com/imap/ where we spent the morning viewing marine life, as well as parrots and flora on the lovely grounds of this family owned business...We took in the shows performed by dolphins, sea lions and parrots...we observed sea turtles and colorful fish...Tired and hungry after an enjoyable morning we lunched at an outdoor cafe before returning to the condo for an afternoon at the pool...Hugs to all...OWAV:)





..

Cool...66 degrees

 If felt kind of good last night to snuggle under the covers, after 3 nights of being covered with only the sheet and hoping for a breeze. No I'm not complaining just saying.

We were up early yesterday and on our way to Key West for the day, before 8am. Upon arrival (two hours later) Brian skillfully navigated through the narrow streets, into a parking lot...A Conch tour of the city was soon arranged and Herb and I boarded one of the trains to tour the city...Pat and Brian would tour the Hemingway House. This island town of tightly packed houses, both large and small has interesting history at every turn.  Please google Key West because I'm doing this blog on my new iPhone (smart phone,with a not too smart operator) and I still have to figure out how to add a link and a photo.

We  met for lunch at a roof-top cafe before the drive back to Islemarodo. One last stop before the condo was Ma's cafe for dessert. Key lime pie for Herb, Berry cake for Brian and German chocolate cake for Pat and Della. The guys chilled at the condo while We girls spent a leisurely hour in the pool, then a shower and relaxed until bedtime. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West ...some how this link made its way to the blog so click on it for Key West info!..Hugs to all.  OWAV:)

80 deg

Oh My!!!!  Warm breeze, ocean view, wonderful friends...Color us happy...made all of our flights with ease...I wa able to sleep for four hours on the overnight flight from Seattle to Charlotte NC...Then onto Fort Lauderdale where Pat  Brian were waiting...On to Islamorada arriving at their condo two hours later...We spent the afternoon at the pool and after a lovely dinner we were ready for bed.

This morning Pat and I had a full morning with water aerobics and acupuncture appointments...Now we are relaxing on the lanai with a glass of wine and the ocean view.

Rain...36º

Herb and I were honored to be guests at an early Birthday brunch for our dear friend Jane Williams...We joined family at the lovely riverside home of Gail Swart where she had prepared a delicious meal for eight people...(For the past five years Gail has auctioned off a brunch at the local fund raising banquet for our local hospital, it is one of the most sought after items at the event.) After warm greetings at the door, mimosa's served, Gail entertained us with several songs (Jane's favorites) on the "Baby Grand" piano that sits in the very middle of her living room...The next two hours passed quickly as we dined, visited and enjoyed the setting and company...Our thanks to the "younger" Williams' for including us in this special event...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Table all set

Gail and Jane share a music score

Thinking back

Happy Birthday Jane

Wind and Rain...45º

An enjoyable ride to Elgin where we watched Oklahoma at the Elgin Opera House...We had our usual balcony seats for the Saturday matinee...I was joined by Pam and her 3 grandchildren and Becky...If you haven't yet purchased your tickets you must get them soon...Only into the second weekend they played to a full house...It is a wonderful production...Don't miss it...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Counting...27º

Sun is shinning, essay sent, clothes washed, maps/directions printed, bills all paid, plants watered, ground beef thawed to be prepared into something for dinner, Herb is feeling better after having a 24 hour bug...Glad that is over...On todays schedule is cleaning (bathroom and kitchen) before leaving for the Elgin Opera House and the matinee performance of  "Oklahoma."..3 days before we fly away...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

HO HUM...40º

Have laundry to do today, before clothes are packed into the suitcase...Essay to finish and wing it away into cyberspace...Katey is in Alaska so it may be awhile before she opens it...No hurry because I won't be looking at it much until we return home...Keep checking my list...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Breezy...43º

Late to rise on this warm, breezy morning...On the list today, it is haircutting day for Herb and me...Continue with our packing...No baking or big meal prep as I try to use up what is in the fridge or on the cellar shelves...Hugs To All...OWAV:) PS....A couple of the whimsical art pieces from Saturdays opening.

Countdown...Florida/DC

One week from today we will arrive in Florida...Right now I'm in the process of downloading an audio book to my iPhone for listening to, on the plane...I'm not sure which makes me more nervous, travel or electronics...I have printed copies of hotel reservations, driving directions, airline tickets and various other papers I think I need...Contemplating leaving my laptop home and relying only on my iPhone to stay connected to the world...It will also force me to learn more about the iPhone and maybe become comfortable with it..I'm trying to block from my mind; airports, gates, confusing directions, hordes of people, traffic, lights and noise...Thinking only of; friendly faces, sunshine, sandy beaches, wine by the pool and safety in P & B's care...All is well!

The sun is just peaking through here on Barton Heights and I must get moving, checking my list, laying out clothes and packing the suitcase...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

New experience...

What is it like to write a blog on my new iPhone?   This may be short and sweet. After having my cell phone without reception for two weeks I finally broke down and  ordered a  new phone. It arrived today just as we sat down to dinner. Then it took two hours to download/upload data. So while that was working I made sandwiches for the opening at the Josephy Center. Had an hour to rest and Finish the steps to complete the installation before I could call and have the SIM card activated. Of course they. Put me on hold so I changed clothes while waiting for a live body to come back on the line.  Yeah. My new phone has service. Hugs to all OWAV:)

Spaced It...33º

Got busy working on my March essay and completely spaced a blog yesterday...Weather wise it was a warm sunny day for the last day of February...I started a batch of sourdough french bread early morning and made a banana sheet cake...The sourdough was shaped into half pound loaves to make into sandwiches for the opening of "Women in Art," that takes place this evening at the Josephy Center...A tray of "banana bites" will be made out of the cake.

Fresh pastrami caught my eye at Kaufman's market on Wednesday, asked the lady to slice us up a pound to bring home...So with buns fresh from the oven, onions and red peppers sautéed, cheese melted over top, pastrami slices and blue cheese dressing added, we had our own version of "hot pastrami sandwiches"...Dill pickles, fresh pear and veggies on the side...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Della's (Had to take a bite to make sure they were fit to eat) :)

 Herb's